Seasonal Zinc Storage and a Strategy for Its Use in Buds of Fruit Trees

Journal Article · Mon May 18 00:00:00 EDT 2020 · Plant Physiology (Bethesda)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1104/pp.19.01563· OSTI ID:1656735

Xie, Ruohan ^[1]; Zhao, Jianqi ^[1]; Lu, Lingli ^[1]; Brown, Patrick  ^[2]; Lin, Xianyong ^[1]; Webb, Samuel M. ^[3]; Ge, Jun  ^[1]; Antipova, Olga ^[4]; Li, Luxi ^[4]; Tian, Shengke  ^[1]

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1. Zhejiang Univ., Hangzhou (China)
2. Univ. of California, Davis, CA (United States)
3. SLAC National Accelerator Lab., Menlo Park, CA (United States). Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource (SSRL)
4. Argonne National Lab. (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States). Advanced Photon Source (APS)

Zn is deposited in stem nodes subtending axillary buds and then sequestered, probably as Zn-phytate, prior to dormancy break in spring, when Zn is released for use in bud break and growth. Bud dormancy allows deciduous perennial plants to rapidly grow following seasonal cold conditions. Although many studies have examined the hormonal regulation of bud growth, the role of nutrients remains unclear. Insufficient accumulation of the key micronutrient zinc (Zn) in dormant buds affects the vegetative and reproductive growth of perennial plants during the subsequent year, requiring the application of Zn fertilizers in orchard management to avoid growth defects in fruit trees. However, the mechanisms of seasonal Zn homeostasis in perennial plants remain poorly understood. Here, we provide new insights into Zn distribution and speciation within reproductive and vegetative buds of apple (Malus domestica) and four other deciduous fruit trees (peach [Amygdalus persica], grape [Vitis vinifera], pistachio [Pistacia vera], and blueberry [Vaccinium spp.]) using microscopic and spectroscopic characterization techniques comprising synchrotron-based x-ray fluorescence and x-ray absorption near-edge-structure analyses. By establishing a link between bud development and Zn distribution, we identified the following important steps of Zn storage and use in deciduous plants: Zn is preferentially deposited in the stem nodes subtending apical and axillary buds; Zn may then be sequestered as Zn-phytate prior to dormancy; in spring, Zn effectively releases for use during budbreak and subsequent meristematic growth. The mechanisms of Zn homeostasis during the seasonal cycles of plant growth and dormancy described here will contribute to improving orchard management, and to selection and breeding of deciduous perennial species.

• Research Organization: SLAC National Accelerator Lab., Menlo Park, CA (United States); Argonne National Lab. (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Science (SC), Biological and Environmental Research (BER); National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC); Huangyan Science and Technology Bureau; National Institutes of Health (NIH)
• Grant/Contract Number: AC02-76SF00515; AC02-06CH11357; 41877116; 31471939; 2017YFD0801303; 2018032; 2019032; P41RR001209
• OSTI ID: 1656735
• Alternate ID(s): OSTI ID: 1671306
• Journal Information: Plant Physiology (Bethesda), Vol. 183, Issue 3; ISSN 0032-0889
• Publisher: American Society of Plant Biologists
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES